Mahaweli Games at Galnewa on Sept.9 and10

Bernard Perera

MAHAWELI GAMES: The 20th Mahaweli Games organized by the Mahaweli Authority is to be staged at the Galnewa Mahaweli grounds on September 9 and 10. This was disclosed by the Minister for Agrculture, Irrigation and Mahaweli Maitripala Sirisena at a media briefing held at the Mahaweli Centre on Wednes day.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister said the Games is held to give an opportunity to children of rural farmers in Mahaweli Areas to reach higher levels in sports. This Games also have produced many promising athletes to reach higher levels in sports.

In fact some of them reached national level and had represented the country, said the Minister.

Kabaddi takes the top spot in this category producing the bulk of the players for the national team. The other sportsmen and women that came to limelight were through the Mahaweli Games were in the fields of Athletics and Volleyball.

The Minister added that an event of this nature can not be staged without the assistance of sponsors. The organizers need around Rupees two million to stage this event. Already the Private Sector organizations have come forward with one million.

The Mahaweli Authority expects more sponsors to come forward to help this worthwhile cause which will also give an opportunity for rural young sportsmen and women to reach higher levels in the field of sports.

He said that the winners of this event will be provided with all their needs to improve their sporting talents and even will go to the extent of looking after their education. It is an essential matter as their parents are unable to supply all their requirements.

Already most the team events have completed.and the finals of the Netball and Volleyball (men) will be played on the last day of the Games. Kabaddi preliminary rounds are scheduld tobe conducted today and tomorrow.

Mahaweli'H'Zone has won the men's Elle tournament while Zone 'C' and Walawa have secured the two runners up positions. In the Women's category it was Walawa who defeated Zone 'D' to win while Zone 'H' was placed as second runner up. Medirigiriya spikers won the women's volleyball championship beating Huruluwewa and Zone 'H' defeted Zone 'C' to clinch the third slot in this group.

Walawa Zone has won the President's trophy on eight occasions at the Games while Zone 'C' has touched the trophy four times and shared it with Walawa in the year 1990. The organizers expect a record number of entries and also of the view that more records could tumble at this meet.